Ankol /Sage Leaf Alangium is a powerful medicinal plant used as a traditional remedy for healing a host of health maladies. Ankol is widely distributed in India that belongs to the Alangiacea family and goes by the scientific name Alangium Salvifolium. It is a highly valued medicinal plant have been bestowed with specific healing qualities. Right from the roots, bark, seeds, oil, and fruits all parts of Ankol are beneficial for the human body. Ankol is indigenous to the dry parts of India and also grows in certain parts of Africa, Sri Lanka and China.
The root bark and Ankol oil are used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine. The seeds are credited to have aphrodisiac action and offer strength and vitality to the body. Athletes use Ankol seed to improve physical performance and stamina. While Ankol oil is also valuable in easing itching, eczema, herpes, and other skin woes due to its potent antipruritic nature. This deciduous tree grows up to 20 m in height, while blossoming is stalkless, often clusters of 4 to 8 flowers, at times only a single flower, which is dense and fragrant, cream-coloured florals. Ankol oil is also valued for healing snakebites, scorpion bites as well as a dog bites.
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Synonyms of Ankol
Ankol is known by different vernacular names in English it is known as Sage leaved Alangium, Dhera, Ankol in Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati, Elangi, Alandi in Tamil, Ankola in Kannada, Udagu in Telugu and Ankod, Badh Aankod in Bengali and Ankot, Deerghakeela Ankola, Tamraphala, Hundika, Rudamallika, Kotara, Gudhapatra, Madana, Rechi, Guptasneha in Sanskrit.
Chemical Constituents:
The therapeutic properties of Ankol to cure a host of health anomalies reveal that this medicinal plant is imbued with a wealth of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Alangine, Alangicine, Ankorine, Marckine, Lamarckinine, Alangimarckine, Marckidine, and Algangamide are bioactive compounds present in this herb. While its leaves contain proteins, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, oils, alkaloids, glycosides, and amino acids.
Medicinal Properties Of Ankol
Ankol is endowed with a treasure trove of medicinal traits:
- Antipyretic- eases fever
- Analgesic - offers respite from pain
- Anti-inflammatory - lowers inflammation
- Expectorant- clears mucus
- Diuretic - increases urine output
- Laxative - regularise bowel movements
- Carminative - clears flatulence
- Antimicrobial- combats germs
- Antivenom - treats snake bites
Uses of Ankol seeds Oil
Ankol seed oil acts as a powerful message reliever and offers respite from pain.
- Kaphavatahara- pacifies vata and kapha dosha
- Twak dosha - heals skin disorders and promotes skin detoxification
- Kushtaghana- used in healing several skin disorders
- Keshakrut- promotes hair growth and volume
- Panat shonitanashana- beneficial in treating blood disorders
- Nasya karma – valuable for anti-ageing treatment
Incredible Health Benefits Of Ankol (Alangium Salvifolium)
Remedies Jaundice
Ankol works as a potent anti-inflammatory herb that aids in easing inflammation in the liver. While its antimicrobial action combats liver infections and keep up the bilirubin level under control. Thus taking this herbal medicine in recommended dosage support treating jaundice and other liver problems.
Cures Urticaria
This herbal ingredient aids to treat urticaria owing to its potential anti-inflammatory and soothing nature on the body. In addition, the antipruritic property of Ankol can heal urticaria and is also effective in healing jaundice.
Combats Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The root bark extract of Ankol is combined with rice water and given to treat diarrhoea. Drinking this concoction helps in reducing the frequency of loose stools in those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Apart from this, the antimicrobial trait of this herb aids in killing harmful pathogens in the gut and maintains digestive health.
Remedies Influenza
The root bark extract of Ankol aids in easing symptoms associated with influenza. It also brings down fever and reduces body aches by inducing sweating. In addition, natural antipyretic action supports curing seasonal infections and fever.
Treats Arthritis
The root extract of Ankol is credited to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic traits due to the presence of the chemical compound salvifosides. This helps to lower pain and inflammation in joints. While stem bark shows anti-arthritic action that averts symptoms related to arthritis.
Pacifies Headache
Ankol offers strength and calming action which provides respite to nerve irritation. Headache is caused due to nerve weakness. This herb is used in combination with Ashwagandha which works wonders as an effective nerve tonic that confers strength to the nerves and relieves headaches.
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Precautions
Ankol is a highly purgative medicinal plant and may induce vomiting in case of excess intake. Also, there is not enough evidence for its safety at the time of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hence, pregnant and lactating women should completely avoid Ankol in all forms.
Side Effects Of Ankol
Ankol when taken in recommended dosage as advised by an ayurvedic practitioner does not cause any adverse effects. However, an overdose can result in the following side effects:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Poor appetite
- Abdominal discomfort
